The audience of over 200 people packed the room at the Sebastopol Veterans building on the last Saturday in January to listen to six of the candidates for the Sonoma County 5th District Supervisor race. The first forum of its kind was sponsored by SOS (Save Our Sonoma County) and the Atascadero Creek Watershed group. This very well thought out two hour venue organized by these two groups was not given credit in the January PD (Press Democrat) newspaper following Sunday paper article. I would like to remedy this and comment on the content of the forum.

The candidates available this day were: Rue Furch, Maddy Hirshfield, Dan Kahane, Tom Lynch, Jim Maresca, and Guy Smith. Additional candidates are joining the race with a deadline in March and voting day in June. The candidates attending this day ended up being on a similar page on the environmental questions which were the focus, but the most interesting part was listening and observing the candidates as they responded to previewed questions prepared by the organizers of which they had to respond in a one minute time frame. There were opening and closing statements by each candidate, and a few pop-questions chosen from audience written requests.

The crowd remained civilized and followed the guidelines presented at the start, firmly set in the beginning minutes. No clapping and no comments from the 'peanut gallery' were to be allowed. This made for a refreshing and respectful learning experience. Other than the visceral reaction of audible groans three times, there were no disruptions, and the candidates didn't miss a beat. Only Guy Smith reacted a few times with levity when technical difficulties or awkward moments occurred during his precious minute slots. Perhaps he knows the value of comic relief, as stiffness was visually perceptible across the board.

Overall how did the available six candidates fare? That question is best answered with a question: Does the exercise prove who is a better speaker or who would be best for the job? And it is a big job with responsibility governing us in major ways daily here in the West County 5th district that spans from East Sebastopol borders to Bodega Bay coast and up to the Gualala River including Sea Ranch, over desolate range inland to the Windsor border cutting over to Roseland and wrapping all of Sebastopol, with the Russian River proper and its towns, along with at least two wine appellations.

The most striking differences of these six candidates were their backgrounds. Perhaps the best way to view this would be to go to their individual websites, but to give a description cross reference here, they are a composite of politicians, business people and activists. Quite different in personality, all seem highly motivated for the job. They came with serious game faces and sometimes voiced wishes for more time on the issues. When the timer ran out a few times, most handled it gracefully. Rue Furch had trouble with the one minute concept at first, but maybe it was her being shook up by the tax delinquency story that had just broke. She looked to be struggling to get back on the horse after being thrown.

The Rue Furch debacle seeped in even though she devoted most of her opening one minute statement to attempt at clarification. Three opponents couldn't resist jumping on the band wagon when time was running out in the second hour, and they were 'rewarded' with one of the audible groan awards. They didn't seem to notice though, their demeanor glazed over with this golden (not) opportunity. Note to candidates: voters want your opinions and honorable ethics as representation. Please let your talents guide your competitiveness. Maddy Hirshfield was polished throughout, especially notable here, and I noted she knew when to keep mum.

The devil in me later fantasized that when slinging of comments happens that cast a negative light on an opponent during forum or debate, the 'slinger' should be required to don a brunette Brittney Spears-type wig with oversized sunglasses until the 'slingee' cracks a smile. Wig and glasses to be provided by event organizers, kept in ready in a box nearby. This punishment should be done w/o fanfare or comments again by audience in order to have minimal affect on the flow of forum or debate. Right. Back to reality...

Questions addressed were mostly composed along the vein of environmental concerns due to the interest of the sponsoring groups as that is what they devote their work to in that field of interest. Of course this was a good match for West County residents that took the time to attend. All the issues to do with water are at our core. Water treatment, conservation, uses, rights, and the cost of all the above will be the make or break of the succeeding Supervisor's legacy. The impact of this affects every one of us in Sonoma County.

The first question that kicked off the forum asked if they were in favor of a large water treatment remedy to the needs of waste water here. Jim Maresca announced he was opposed to large treatment plant being built and could see a piecemeal approach with new technologies. This was echoed by Guy Smith when his turn came next in line, also stating a 0-discharge policy. Tom Lynch's answer involved 90/10 ratio of discharge and, new technology focus. Don Kahane was also in this group stance of 0-discharge and wanting to repair the 'hot spots' as he called them along the Russian River. The lady candidate's answers followed the county government study type approach. Both of them currently hold positions in that arena, so their language would often go that route. But again, this is all a question of semantics and style. Guy Smith may be 'down to earth', Dan Kahane seriously intellectual, Jim Maresca at times booming forceful rhetorical style, Tom Lynch a jester with activism, Maddy Hirshfiel the well spoken politico, Rue Furch distracted with her attempt to keep above water in controversy over her taxes - all throwing their hats in the ring. And more candidates to come, including Eddy Alvarez, who we did not get to hear from due to a death in the family.

More forums and/or debates are being organized. It is a great way to view candidates and make voting decisions. If you already have a favorite, it still is a way to familiarize with the important local issues. The League of Women Voters will be active in venues for the June elections. Our local KGGV 95.1 LP radio station out of Guerneville is planning a series of forums beginning March 28 in Monte Rio, and every two weeks thereafter in locations to be announced based on this successful format from SOS and The Atascadero Watershed Group. Kudos to them, and a thank you.

The event was recorded on audio by KGGV 95.1 LP who hopes to broadcast it in good quality in an upcoming slot. Also a nod to the individual candidates for coming forward, putting themselves on the line for this important job. The rewards are great, the power can go to the head, and the risks are partly the personal exposure most of us can't fathom. That is the job of a public servant, a huge responsibility.